Sainte Marie Hospital of Marie Galante - Guadeloupe French West Indies
Osteoarticular imaging
Osteoarticular MRI is a radiological examination that analyses all the joints in the human body, including the hip, wrist, hand, ankles, feet, knee and shoulders. This MRI can be performed on both the lower limbs and the upper limbs. An osteoarticular MRI is an examination commonly recommended to analyse the following pathologies or symptoms: Pain assessment, sprains, herniated discs, osteoarthritis, tendonitis, arthropathy and inflammation.
ARTHROSCANNER OF PERIPHERAL JOINTS
The arthroscanner is a medical imaging procedure that can be used to visualise tendons, ligaments and cartilage with great precision. This examination can be performed in cases of osteoarthritis, but also to observe the shoulder and knee, as well as the elbow, ankle and hip. The aim of arthroscanning is to combine the advantages of arthrography and CT scanning to explore joint pathologies. Three-dimensional images are obtained, enabling any abnormalities in the joint to be detected.
SPINAL SCAN
A spinal scan provides a detailed examination of the vertebrae and discs. This examination enables the lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral discs to be studied. A CT scan of the lumbar spine is primarily indicated for the assessment of low back pain and cruralgia/ sciatica. It can detect disc pathology such as a herniated disc or the presence of a narrow lumbar canal.
SPINAL MRI
MRI of the lumbar spine shows the soft tissue around the spine. The bone marrow, spinal cord, vertebrae, paravertebral muscles, tendons and ligaments and even cerebrospinal fluid can be studied. This scanner can be used to diagnose fractures, osteoarthritis or to quickly reveal a herniated disc that can be seen with this technology.
SPINAL CORD MRI
MRI of the spinal cord is a non-irradiating Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan of the entire length of the spinal cord and spinal column. MRI highlights the differences in contrast between normal and diseased tissue. It may be indicated in cases of suspected myelopathy (inflammatory disease of the spinal cord), specific symptoms or worsening of the disease without any real change in the cerebral MRI.
SACROILIAC MRI
This examination is mainly used to detect acute or chronic inflammation of the joint, known as sacroiliitis. It can also be used to diagnose fractures not detected on previous X-rays. The sacroiliac joints are the two joints between the pelvic bones and the sacrum, which lies at the bottom of the spine. Damage to this joint can cause pain on one or both sides, in the lower back, buttock, groin and even the thigh.
LOWER LIMB MRI: HIP - KNEE - FOOT OR LIMB SEGMENTS
MRI involves injecting a contrast product into the joint so that the radiologist can better observe the structures of the knee or foot. This examination involves taking images after injecting a gadolinium-based contrast product and an iodinated contrast product into the joint. The lower limb comprises the gluteal region, the crural region or thigh, the leg and the foot. The division into regions depends on the main joints and precise skin markers. MRI of the lower limbs is particularly indicated in sprain assessments to evaluate traumatic, ligament, bone or meniscus injuries. It is also indicated in osteoarthritis assessments to evaluate cartilage damage and the impact on the bone and meniscus to study the menisci in search of cracks.
UPPER LIMB MRI: SHOULDER - ELBOW - HAND OR LIMB SEGMENTS
MRI involves injecting a contrast product into the joint so that the radiologist can better observe the structures of the upper limb being probed. This examination involves taking images after injecting a gadolinium-based contrast product and an iodinated contrast product into the joint. The upper limb includes all the joints of the shoulder, elbow and hand.